Last week, the proposal for the creation of EuroVelo 16 – Iberian Cycle Tour was announced.

The route will start from Lisbon and, passing through Madrid, will reach Pamplona.

There, it will connect with EuroVelo 1 – Atlantic Coast Route and EuroVelo 3 – Pilgrims Route.
EuroVelo 16 will cross the heart of the Iberian Peninsula and will pass through Alentejo, a region of Portugal famous for its traditional polyphonic singing groups.

The route will also pass through the UNESCO-protected area of Evora, with its prehistoric archaeological sites and impressive megalithic constructions. It’s worth noting that Evora has been designated as the European Capital of Culture for 2027!

The route, which will be 1,896 km long, will be incorporated into the EuroVelo network by 2028 at the latest. EuroVelo 16 – Iberian Cycle Tour aspires to offer a unique cycling experience within the Iberian hinterland.

It will follow the banks of the Guadiana and Tagus rivers to the east, and will touch the roots of the Pyrenees as it heads north.

Moreover, it will not only connect the two capitals, Lisbon and Madrid, but will also offer the opportunity to explore the intermediate stops, which have rich natural, cultural, and gastronomic treasures.

 

The organization of the idea and the success of its acceptance are attributed to the close collaboration of the two national EuroVelo partners, ConBici from Spain and the Portuguese Federation for Bicycle Tourism and Bicycle Users – FPCUB. And so we start dreaming of the day when we will enjoy jamón and Rioja overlooking the Atlantic coast…

Did you know:

The Iberian Cycle Route has been assigned the number 16, even though it will be the eighteenth route of the EuroVelo network. This is because EuroVelo routes are numbered based on whether they cross Europe on a North-South or East-West axis.

Odd numbers are assigned to North-South routes (currently 1 to 19), and even numbers are assigned to East-West routes (currently 2 to 14).

Read more here, και here και here

By Eva Vertoudaki